Construction Project Director (6 month contract)

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in residential development seeks a Senior Construction Project Recovery Lead for a 6-month fixed-term contract. You will play a critical role in rescuing a stalled project by conducting thorough reviews, engaging stakeholders, and implementing a strategic recovery plan. This position requires a seasoned construction professional capable of navigating complex challenges and delivering results under pressure.

Qualifications

• Senior-level construction professional with proven experience rescuing stalled projects.
• Exceptional leader and communicator.
• Strong commercial acumen, expert in cost-planning, procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive review of existing designs and procurement strategies.
• Develop a pragmatic recovery strategy covering cost, phasing and risk mitigation.
• Establish governance frameworks to track progress.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Communication

Cost Planning

Risk Management

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Construction Project Recovery Lead (Fixed Term – 6 Months)

Location: London & Birmingham

Contract: Freelance/Fixed Term Contract

Duration: 6 months

Hours: 3 days per week

Reporting To: Construction Director

About Us

Join a market-leading residential developer committed to delivering exceptional quality and value. We’re tackling a strategically critical project that has faced delivery setbacks—and we need an experienced leader to drive its recovery.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a hands-on Senior Construction Professional to reset and reconfigure a paused residential scheme following main-contractor insolvency. In this fixed-term, six-month assignment, you’ll develop and secure stakeholder buy-in for a robust, viable plan to get the project back on track.

What You’ll Do

Project Diagnostics (Weeks 1–6):

Conduct cost planning, optioneering, design-strategy reviews

Test and recommend procurement and delivery routes

Stakeholder Approval (Weeks 7–8):

Present findings and secure sign-off from internal and external stakeholders

Implementation Roadmap (Months 3–6):

Finalise design, procure consultants/contractors, and mobilise for construction restart

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a comprehensive review of existing designs, programmes, procurement strategies and delivery structures
• Develop and present a pragmatic, board-approved recovery strategy covering programme, cost, phasing and risk mitigation
• Establish clear governance and reporting frameworks to track progress and flag issues
• Challenge commercial assumptions and drive a best-value procurement process
• Forge strong relationships with consultants, contractors, legal teams and local authorities
• Identify and resolve “legacy” technical, contractual or reputational risks

Who You Are

• Senior-level construction professional with proven experience rescuing stalled or failed projects
• Exceptional leader and communicator, capable of re-establishing stakeholder confidence
• Strong commercial acumen and expert in cost-planning, procurement and risk management
• Comfortable working under tight deadlines and delivering high-pressure presentations

Success Criteria

By the end of your six-month engagement, you will have:

• Delivered a clear, board-approved revised delivery plan
• Secured stakeholder buy-in across development, commercial and delivery teams
• Positioned the project to restart construction with renewed clarity, confidence and viability

To Apply

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant recovery-project experience. We look forward to hearing how you can help us bring this critical development back on track.